In this article we’ll provide details of what is needed for telecoms providers to comply with the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) and how it impacts you and your customers. Download the free article here!
Ofcom’s website provides comprehensive resources, and we recommend consulting your legal advisors to ensure you’re compliant. The information below is informative and shouldn’t be relied on as advice or recommendations.
What is EECC?
The EECC is an EU Directive that updated the regulatory framework for communications services. The latest updates came into force on Friday 17th June 2022.
Understanding the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC)
EECC’s main objectives include (i) promoting connectivity and investment in high-speed, high-capacity networks, such as optical fiber and 5G; (ii) enhancing consumer’s protection and updating the rules on universal service; (iii) ensuring higher standards of communication services.
Although the UK has left the EU, under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK remains under an obligation to implement EU Directives into domestic law. The UK Government made clear that Ofcom should proceed to implement the end-user rights aspects of the EECC, and it made changes to the law to support this implementation.
The EECC contains a package of measures designed to protect customers of broadband, mobile, pay TV and landline services and to ensure these customers can shop around with confidence, make informed choices, switch easily and get a fair deal. The new protections fall within a range of areas, including:
- Provision and layout of contract information.
- Transparency, comparison tools and publication of information.
- Quality of service.
- Contract duration and termination.
- Protections for end-users with disabilities.
- Switching and porting.
- Bundled offers.
Ofcom have implemented the new EECC protections through changes to Ofcom’s General Conditions of Entitlement (‘the General Conditions’) which are regulatory rules that communications providers must comply with when providing services in the UK. Providers were required to implement these changes by two deadlines:
- 17 December 2021: many of the changes came into effect from this date; and
- 17 June 2022: new rules were introduced relating to the provision of contract information, extended customer rights to exit and the provision of an emergency video-relay service.
Ofcom and other parties have provided helpful information to assist with the implementation of these changes. Links to the relevant resources can be found below:
- Ofcom - Statement: Implementation of the new European Electronic Communications Code
- Ofcom - Helping Consumers Get Better Deals
- Ofcom - Implementation of the European Electronic Communications Code (EECC)
- Ofcom – Contract Requirements – GC C1
- Ofcom - Revised guidance on GC C1 contract requirements June 2022
- Official Journal of the European Union – EECC Directive
Further changes are coming
The last two rounds of changes won’t be the last, so you’ll also need to start preparing your processes for General Conditions changes relating to new switching and porting rules coming into effect on 3rd April 2023.
How can The Layer help you comply with the new requirements?
We have integrated the regulatory requirements into The Layer, providing telecoms & IT providers with an EECC Toolkit to support them on their journey to becoming EECC compliant.
If you'd like to explore using The Layer or discuss our EECC Toolkit, reach out to our sales team via Live Chat, email, 03333 222 000, or book a demo here!
Please note: If you are already using The Layer, please reach out to our Customer Success team via Live Chat, email or phone and we will share how we are updating The Layer to help you be compliant. We are not able to directly support you with EECC specific guidance and recommend speaking to your legal advisors regarding any queries that you may have. Our team will only be able to support questions that relate directly to the toolkit.
Disclaimer: The information above is informative and shouldn’t be relied on as advice or recommendations. Layer Systems do not assume any liability for the article’s contents. Ofcom’s website provides comprehensive resources, and we highly recommend speaking to your legal advisors to ensure you’re compliant.
